The diagnosis of brain death with Tc-99m HMPAO.

Abstract

Evaluation of blood flow to the brain using various radiopharmaceuticals can be used to confirm brain death. Agents available for this purpose include Tc-99m HMPAO, Tc-99m pertechnetate, Tc-99m glucoheptonate, and Tc-99m DTPA. The authors evaluated the use of Tc-99m HMPAO in 17 patients suspected of brain death using flow images and static images at several time intervals: immediately, between 30 and 60 minutes, and at 2 hours. These studies were compared to several studies performed with Tc-99m glucoheptonate and Tc-99m DTPA. The results of the Tc-99m HMPAO brain death studies correlated well with the patients' clinical conditions. Static images 1 to 2 hours after the injection of 5 to 30 mCi of Tc-99m HMPAO were satisfactory for an accurate interpretation; however, an immediate answer could as easily be supplied using flow images alone. Tc-99m HMPAO was found to be more easily interpreted and less dependent on imaging technique than Tc-99m glucoheptonate and Tc-99m DTPA, and it is the agent of choice for the evaluation of brain death.

• Authors: K Wilson, L Gordon, J B Selby Sr
• Journal: Clinical nuclear medicine (Clin Nucl Med) Vol. 18 Issue 5 Pg. 428-34 (May 1993) ISSN: 0363-9762 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8508581 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Organotechnetium Compounds
• Oximes
• Sugar Acids
• Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime
• technetium Tc 99m gluceptate
• Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Brain (diagnostic imaging)
• Brain Death (diagnostic imaging)
• Cerebrovascular Circulation (physiology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Organotechnetium Compounds
• Oximes
• Radionuclide Imaging
• Sugar Acids
• Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime
• Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate